Many of his bright/smart ideas have become great inventions

[angliholic]

Many of his bright/smart ideas have become great inventions today while laughed at in his time.



Are bright and smart interchangeable in the above? Thanks.

[MrPedantic]

Hello Angli,

"Bright idea" can often have overtones of irony; while "smart" might not be found in other than an informal (or AmE) context. So you might want to consider a more neutral adjective.

By the way, I'm not sure an idea can become an invention; though it may lead to or inspire one.

Best wishes,

MrP

[angliholic]

Originally Posted by MrPedantic

Hello Angli,

"Bright idea" can often have overtones of irony; while "smart" might not be found in other than an informal (or AmE) context. So you might want to consider a more neutral adjective.

By the way, I'm not sure an idea can become an invention; though it may lead to or inspire one.

Best wishes,

MrP

Thanks, MrP.
What are the words that you would recommend in the context?

[MrPedantic]

Hello Angli,

I'm not sure I should recommend a version, as it might begin to wander away from your original thought! But here are some similar examples – see if you can use their structures to tweak your original slightly, and then post again:

1. While his work was considered unacceptably radical at the time, it is surprising how many of his radical ideas are now commonly accepted across the West.

2. Many of his theories were ridiculed in his day, but have since been adopted by the scientific establishment.

3. Though never published in his lifetime, the thousands of sketches he left behind later inspired many famous inventions, such as the steam-powered violin, the electric tweezers, and, perhaps most controversially, the remote-controlled pooper-scooper.

Best wishes,

MrP

[angliholic]

Thanks, MrP.
Your versions are creative and imaginative.

[MrPedantic]

You're welcome! Though I should put on record that they're mostly based on various googles.

(Don't forget we're here, if you want your revised version checked.)

All the best,

MrP